The Importance of Differentiated Instruction for Students

The Importance of Differentiated Instruction for Students Differentiated Instruction: Does it Matter to Students? ChaptersAs Things Stand NowConcern for Special Needs StudentsTechnology in the Classroom: Helpful or Not?Teaching and Learning with Differentiating InstructionPeople often reflect on their Glory Days â€" the Bruce Springsteen definition, not the Little Mix album.The term glory days can mean any time in their past that the speaker believes is better than now.Per the chart-smashing Springsteen song, most feel their glory days were during secondary school, usually playing some sport or generally being very popular.For this writer, the time spent in secondary school was anything but glorious.Trapped in a teaching model that did nothing for my optimal learning style â€" kinesthetic learning, mediocrity set the tone for every class’ mark and borderline failure was where my exam scores hovered.To make matters worse, for a lack of explanation of why I consistently performed so poorly, I was mostly thought of as a bad student.It was only later, in vocational training, when we got hands-on w ith the equipment and tools, that I discovered I learn best by doing rather than listening or seeing.In spite of hefty criticism levelled at the concept of individual learning styles, there is substantial evidence that students have a preference for how they receive information, giving overall validity to the concept.Among all of the educational initiatives being bandied about and all of the struggles the Department for Education is undergoing, trying to improve teaching methods and students’ scores...Could taking into consideration how a student learns be all it takes to optimise public education? Or is there more to this story?Come with Superprof now. Let’s explore some of the greatest concerns of crowded classrooms and how teachers can make the best use of time and resources to maximise their teaching strategy.teaching strategies to employ and no learning strategies to devise.Concern for Special Needs StudentsAmong all of the advances made in educational philosophy, the ackno wledgement of learning disabilities ranks as one of the most accepting, and one of the most divisive.Dyslexia is a prevalent learning disability in which students with an otherwise normal capacity and desire to learn are hindered by their brain’s inability to process language.Causes of dyslexia are thought to be both genetic and environmental. However, students all over the globe struggle to learn because of dyslexia; it affect between 3% and 7% of learners worldwide.A similar condition, dyscalculia, renders even simple maths learning a cause for frustration and anxiety.Although dyslexia was identified as a neurological impairment in 1881, through the subsequent century, failures of dyslexic students to master learning concepts was often  equally  attributed to poor educational practices and poor student motivation.Historically, students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) were labelled naughty children when, in fact, their inability to sit still and pay attention was due to a developmental neurological disorder.This condition too is prevalent worldwide; between 5 and 7% of the global student population is thus afflicted.Here again, although awareness of ADHD as a medical condition dates back to 1902, it only became widely acknowledged and managed in mainstream education in 1981.Identifying special needs students and assessing what their needs actually are went a long way towards levelling the academic playing field.Unfortunately, special education initiatives did nothing for students without special needs who nevertheless struggle to learn.Some teachers assign homework online; otherwise, technology hasn't made much impact on learning Source: Pixabay Credit: FirmBeeTechnology in the Classroom: Helpful or Not?Visuals are a powerful teaching tool.In the early days of formal education, classroom visuals consisted of a blackboard and possibly a world map. Perhaps a frieze demonstrating the proper way to write letters in cursive script adorned th e space above the chalkboard.As technology advanced, so too did classrooms: overhead projectors (1930), video (1951) and... who could forget the Banda worksheets (1923), with their purple ink and smelling of alcohol?That mimeograph machine gave the teacher more latitude in curriculum development. No longer limited to textbook content, teachers were free to devise more varied content and even include diagrammes and charts.For learners who are more inclined to visual learning, all of these advances were giant leaps towards their learning preference.The wireless radio made its way into classroom in the 1920s. Shortly thereafter, stations started broadcasting on-air classes â€" the precursor to today’s online and distance learning.Astoundingly, for all of the technological advances in the last 100 years, using technology in the classroom pretty much stalled after the PC (personal computer) went mainstream.To be sure, curricular requirements have expanded to include coding and keyboard ing classes, but they still follow the traditional teaching model: the educator speaks and the learner does.So, while technological advances have helped students learn, essentially they are confronted with the same teaching methodology that has dominated educational philosophy for centuries.Find out what the best tutors know about differentiation in the classroom...Merely repairing a dam leak overlooks the possibility of its imminent failure GeorgeB2Teaching and Learning with Differentiating InstructionIn a sense, you might say that all of the instructional strategies devised to date are akin to plugging a cracking dam with bubble gum: they address the current emergency but do nothing to remedy the bigger problem.Improving the learning experience of those with special needs and outfitting the school classroom with a variety of learning implements are valiant efforts â€" nobody could fault the education professionals for that.However, they fail to take into consideration a few basic facts:1. Grouping students by age rather than by intellect or different learning styles inevitably leaves portions of the student body with their educational needs poorly met.2. The traditional teaching model feeds students information but does not teach them how to use that information, or even how to learn.3. Multiple intelligences are not considered in the traditional learning plan.4. Summative assessments â€" periodic exams do nothing to evaluate a student’s potential for learning, only for how well s/he retained recently taught material.Again: no one is faulting hard-working teachers or parents who do their best to support their children’s education program.Our thesis embraces student-centered learning â€" the very foundation of differentiated learning.Differentiation calls for students to work in small groups, arranged by aptitude and intellectual ability.Furthermore, the students’ learning preferences are taken into consideration:Primarily visual learners would be given lots of different material to look at and draw conclusions fromPrimarily auditory learners would benefit from listening to recordings of learning materialsPrimarily kinesthetic learners would be tasked to build or otherwise create materials that would support conclusions they’ve drawn from their studies.No matter which learning style any student prefers, assignments would be tailored to their interests.Teachers, no longer at the front of the class (and hoping that students are paying attention), circulate around the room, providing individualized guidance and contributing to group work, all while conducting a formative assessment on each pupil as the work progresses.For teachers, this might sound like a nightmare of classroom management. But for students...When teachers differentiate instruction, student learning soars!Through targeted learning activities, students discover their strengths and are afforded the learning process that suits them the best.In a learning environment th at fosters inclusion of gifted students as well as those with special learning needs, student achievement is all but assured.Finally...Contrary to the nightmare scenario envisioned above, when educators eschew direct instruction in favour of differentiation strategies, they find their rooms filled with responsive students ready to hone their thinking skills and comprehension of whatever topic Teacher would embrace that day.Briefly stated, differentiation of instruction is understanding by design â€" a concept every student could benefit from.Isn’t it about time to take the pressure off of the teachers? To let students set their learning goals and be permitted the necessary avenues and tools to reach them?That would be effective teaching indeed!Now read our full guide to differentiating learning!

Should I Take SAT Subject Tests

Should I Take SAT Subject Tests More than 2,000 colleges and universities around the country accept SAT scores. As you begin your search for the perfect university or college, it is imperative to review all of the admission requirements for schools you are interested in attending. You may find that many schools reference additional tests, such as the SAT Subject Tests. (As many as 160 institutions require or recommend submitting an SAT Subject Test score for admission.) Should you take an SAT Subject Test? Well, that depends on many factors. Here is an overview on the SAT Subject Tests to help you decide whether or not they are truly necessary for your goals. [RELATED: What Does SAT Stand For?] What are SAT Subject Tests? SAT Subject Tests are content-based tests that allow you to showcase your skills in a specific subject area. These tests are designed to help you paint yourself as a better candidate for admission. There are 20 SAT Subject Tests covering a variety of subjects, including history, math, science, English, and foreign languages. Here are a few basics you should know about the SAT Subject Tests: The hour-long tests are entirely multiple-choice. You can take up to three SAT Subject Tests in one sitting. However, students cannot take both the SAT and SAT Subject Tests during the same testing administration. Each test costs $18 (unless youre taking a foreign language with listening test). However, you will also pay a $26 fee per testing session, so it is cheaper to take more than one test in one session. These are the only national admission tests where you get to decide which test to take based on your own personal interests or aspirations. Should I take an SAT Subject Test? The main benefit of taking SAT Subject Tests is that you can differentiate yourself in the college admissions process. SAT Subject Tests allow you to showcase your depth and breadth of knowledge in a specific area of interest. For example, if you excel in History and English, consider taking the SAT Subject Test in Literature or the SAT Subject Test in U.S. History. However, dont take an SAT Subject Test just for the sake of doing iteach requires as much preparation and focus as any other exam. In addition, an SAT Subject Test may be required to enroll in a specific program or apply to a college, depending on your school. Check with the admissions office at your prospective college to get more information on application requirements. Colleges may also use SAT Subject Test scores for purposes beyond admission. For example, a high score on an SAT Subject Test may qualify a student to skip an introductory course or satisfy basic requirements for a particular major. It is also important to keep in mind that unlike AP courses, which are designed to mimic an introductory college-level course, SAT Subject Tests are based on material a student would learn in a high school classroom. In this way, an SAT Subject Test may be a good alternative for students who would otherwise struggle in an AP course. How do I prepare for SAT Subject Tests? Preparing for SAT Subject Tests is not unlike preparing for any other high school final. Acclimate to the tests level of difficulty by taking online SAT Subject Test practice tests, reviewing concepts that you can expect on the exam, and creating flashcards. The best time to take SAT Subject Tests is at the end of a course, when youve been introduced to all of the concepts and the material is still fresh in your head. In addition, be sure to tailor your test prep to the type of SAT Subject Test youll be taking. For example, you may need a different test-day strategy for taking the SAT Subject Test in Literature than you would when taking the Spanish with Listening SAT Subject Test. At the end of the day, deciding whether or not to take the SAT Subject Tests rests on you (unless your desired college or university requires them for admission). Remember to think of these tests as a way to make you a better applicant for your potential school. If you do decide to take the tests, register online and begin preparing for them as soon as you can.

What is it Like to Attend the University of Utah

What is it Like to Attend the University of Utah Edwardo is a current senior at the University of Utah. He is majoring in chemistry, and specializes in Spanish tutoring, calculus tutoring, and a number of other subjects. Below, he shares his experience at the University of Utah: Describe the campus setting and transportation options. Edwardo: The University of Utahs campus is fairly large. There are on-campus busing options with various routes and directions. In addition, there are also city buses that go all over the surrounding areas and the TRAX train system that reaches the far corners of the city. You dont need a car to get where you want to go, but a bike, scooter, or skateboard can get you around campus in no time at all. How available are the professors, academic advisers, and teaching assistants? Edwardo:Professors offer office hours where students can go in for extra help or questions. For academic advisors, you always have to schedule an appointment at least the week before. How would you describe the dorm life rooms, dining options, location, socialization opportunities with other students? Edwardo:There are a lot of different meal plans offered. The places to eat are all over campus and are very practical. There are a lot of dorms, so there is always something going on. Its typical for people to make friends everywhere they go on campus. Which majors/programs are best represented and supported? Edwardo:There are a lot of graduate programs at the University of Utah consisting not only of law and medicine, but a huge range of professional studies. To support this, there are a lot of quality majors that are offered and run by prestigious departments. Personally, I am a pre-med chemistry major and I know how helpful my advisors will be in preparing me for life after graduation. How easy or difficult was it for you to meet people and make friends as a freshman? Does Greek life play a significant role in the campus social life? Edwardo:Just by being on campus you hear about so many different events and activities that its hard not to go out and make friends. There are so many students that go to all the sporting events and school sponsored events. Greek life plays a big role in social life, but it isnt the only way of making friends. How helpful is the Career Center and other student support services? Edwardo:The Career Center offers a ton of help and hosts a job fair at least every two months. They also offer workshops and informational meetings every few weeks. The university has some good connections and there are always prominent companies that recruit here. How are the various study areas such as libraries, the student union, and dorm lounges? Edwardo:There are a lot of places to study all over campus, but the best is the library that has computers on multiple floors, group study rooms ranging in size, and quiet study areas. There are always a lot of people here, but because of how its set up, it doesnt feel overwhelming. Describe the surrounding town. Edwardo:Downtown is minutes away, and offers concert venues, restaurants, and shopping. Every weekend has something going on downtown, so there are a lot of people who spend time there. But, with the student life center and the sports complexes on campus, we dont have to go far to do something fun. How big or small is the student body? Were you generally pleased or displeased with the typical class sizes? Edwardo:There is a large and diverse student body. The freshman classes are always lecture-style and large. But, as soon as you start getting into more specific major-based classes and upper level courses, the size shrinks. I enjoy how the class size always corresponds with how much teacher-student interaction is required. Describe one memorable experience with a professor and/or class. Perhaps one you loved the most or one you regret the most. Edwardo:My freshman year I was in an honors discussion class. It was a smaller size, so we got to know each other relatively well. The professor not only discussed and taught, he also told us about himself and was very relatable. We would run into him all over campus, and I loved realizing that students aren't the only ones who like to take advantage of all campus has to offer. Check out Edwardos tutoring profile. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Varsity Tutors.

Online Solve for Y Tutors

Online Solve for Y Tutors Equations consist of one or more than one unknown variables (such as: x, y,a,b etc.) with different coefficients and constant numbers. Exponent is the degree of the variable in the equation. The degree of the variable can be one or more than one. Equations are the very common and used in almost every topic in mathematics. There are various mathematical operations which are used to simplify and solve equations. Example 1: Simplify and solve for y in the equation 7 y 19 = 51? Solution: Given equation is 7 y 19 = 51. Here the unknown variable which needs to be solved for is y. First step: Adding 19 on both sides of the given equation. Therefore, (10 y 19) + 19 = 51 + 19; 7y = 70. Now dividing both sided of the equation by 7; this gives 7 y/7 = 70/7. This reduces the given equation to y = 10. Hence the solution is y = 10. Example 2: Simplify the equation and solve for y if x =3 y = 5 (x 2) + 10? Solution: Given equation is y = 5 (x 2) + 10. Here the variable is x; distributing the number in front of the braces. This gives 5 (x - 2) = 5 x 10; this gives y = 5 x - 10 + 10 = 5x. The equation reduces to y = 5x, given x = 3. Substituting the value y = 5* 3 = 15 Hence the solution if y = 15.

STEM and Workforce Development A Ticket Out of Poverty - Heart Math Tutoring

STEM and Workforce Development â€" A Ticket Out of Poverty - Heart Math Tutoring STEM and Workforce Development â€" A Ticket Out of Poverty STEM and Workforce Development â€" A Ticket Out of Poverty February 19, 2016 By Emily Elliott, Executive Director of Heart Math Tutoring Financial services and technology firms are noting the need for diversity by race and gender. According to this article, by Michael Bodson, President and CEO of DTCC, Black and Hispanic students combined account for only 7% of math and computer science graduate students, yet substantial math and technology skills are required for two-thirds of jobs in banking and finance. More broadly than financial services, studies show that people of color make up 10% of all STEM jobs despite making up over a quarter of the U.S. population. Tracing this disparity back to high school, The College Board found that only 3 in 10 African Americans take AP Math, and half of those who do not take it report lacking the confidence to do so. IMPACT OF HEART Of Heart’s approximately 400 students in the 2015/16 school year, 55% are female and almost all are Black (58%) or Hispanic (38%). Our hope would be that their time with tutors gives them not only the skills needed for success in higher levels of math, but also the confidence and encouragement to pursue challenging work that involves math, whether tied directly to the STEM field or not. Indeed 97% of students have met program growth goals in math to date, and more than 90% of teachers report that students show increased confidence and/or enthusiasm towards math as a result of the program. IMPORTANCE OF FOUNDATIONAL MATH Research shows that the average salary for STEM careers is $53,000; half of those jobs do not require a four-year degree. Several of Heart’s funding partners attest to job opportunities at their companies here in Charlotte immediately following high school and/or trade school if a person can demonstrate proficiency in algebra and trigonometry, evaluated by industry-specific exams such as the Construction and Skilled Trades (CAST) Test. At Heart, we know that students must be numerically powerful far before entering their first algebra class and that arithmetic can be taught in a way that supports algebraic thinking later on. Difficulties with math start as early as elementary school and younger, and they are often related to a lack of true understanding of how our number system works: quantity, groups, base ten and place value. Instead, many students rely on memorized rules and procedures. This is disempowering, with life-long consequences not only for opportunities directly tied to math skills, but also for a person’s ability to think and reason logically to figure out the world around them. STEM careers can truly be a ticket out of poverty, but we must equip people of color in early years with the necessary skills and beliefs to be able to take advantage of this growing area of opportunity. #   #   # Statistics and research cited in the post above comes from: The  National Science Foundation, Science Engineering Indicators, 2013;  The College Board, 2012;  Brookings Institution, The Hidden STEM Economy, 2013;  Carpenter, Frank, Levi, 2003;  Center for the Future of Teaching and Learning at West Ed, 2012.

Five Signals That Your Child Has a Learning Problem

Five Signals That Your Child Has a Learning Problem For many children, school is not a straight path free of roadblocks. Ups and downs in school are inevitable, and some subjects and grades might go more smoothly than others. As a parent, you do your best and follow your instincts when dealing with problems as they arise. But Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center cautions parents to watch for signs that their children need more than typical parental involvement. No child has a trouble-free school experience, but its important to be aware of issues that might have deeper roots and require more intensive intervention, she says. Huntington lists these five signs of possible learning problems: Sign #1: Poor comprehension Poor reading comprehension can be a sign of many different learning issues. Pay attention to how your child completes reading and writing assignments. Does it take far longer than it should to read a page? Does your child have a hard time answering questions about books he or she is reading? Is your childs writing often unclear with spelling and grammatical mistakes? Sign #2: Poor attention span Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is most associated with a poor attention span, but even students not diagnosed with such an issue might need support improving their ability to focus and complete work. Take note of your childs work habits while studying. Do you notice a lot of gazing out the window? Getting out the phone or surfing the internet when he or she should be doing something else? Working for only a few minutes before getting distracted? Sign #3: Difficulty retrieving information There are several types of memory, all of which are essential for students to be able to store and retrieve information when they read and listen in class. Do you notice your child struggling to answer questions about material he or she has just read or forgetting information learned just recently? Do you see your child frequently leaving the room to get or do something only to return a moment later having forgotten what that item or task was? Or, does your child remember recent topics taught but have a harder time recalling topics taught a month ago? Sign #4: Weak organization and time management skills While many children grapple from time to time with organization and time management, consistent difficulty planning ahead on homework, staying organized, and paying attention to details could be signs of something bigger. Specifically, your child might lack executive functioning skills, which are essential aptitudes that allow students to self-regulate and achieve their goals. Sign #5: Poor grades in language-based subjects As mentioned, a poor grade in any subject should be a red flag that something is going on with your child in school, but if you observe problems with reading fluency, writing, spelling or recall, the scope of your childs challenges is narrower. Your child could simply be dealing with missing skill gaps, or the issue could be something more complex like dyslexia. If you notice one or more of the above signs, or other red flags such as low self-esteem, apathy about school, or homework taking an exceptionally long time, contact Huntington at 1-800 CAN LEARN. We can assess what is going on with your child, identify the problems ailing him or her, and establish a plan of action to correct them.

Three Key Ways to optimise how the Brain Learns

Three Key Ways to optimise how the Brain Learns Guest post by David Morgan. Children spend so much of their life in a classroom. The average person spends fourteen thousand, one hundred and forty-five hours of life at school! But there are a few key ways that help the brain learn more easily and make that time better spent: 1. Prioritizing play Learning is optimized for children and many adults in an active, play-based learning environment. I think we would all agree that boredom is the death of learning! When schoolchildren are actively engaged in completing a learning task, it is more likely that the knowledge acquired will be retained by the brain. Numerous pedagogical studies have proven this principle over the years; trawl through your search engine to find many pages of relevant results! Children that are primarily kinaesthetic learners should have an extra emphasis on this kind of active learning, though all learning styles can benefit from it. 2. Shrinking Stress If boredom is the death of learning, then stress is the enemy of education. Neurologically, stress elevates your levels of cortisol and adrenaline which in turn reduces peripheral brain activity. You may have heard of this effect before: when the brain interprets there being a threat or risk of some kind, it shuts down all higher functioning and addresses the stressful situation at hand through the classic fight, flight or freeze response. All kinds of knowledge acquisition involve higher brain functioning, so any activities which create anxiety in the classroom environment will actually prevent learning. If a child is overly anxious, then it is important to focus on increasing his or her confidence through short learning exercises where failure is an unlikely outcome. 3. Mobilizing Emotion Emotion is one of the most prominent players in memory creation. In fact, selecting which memories to retain is one of the crucial roles of our emotions. As you might expect, when your emotions are disengaged, memory retention is much reduced. In an interesting paradox, the standard Victorian method of creating an atmosphere of fear or punishment in the classroom would have reduced the ability of the students to perform due to stress, but counteracting that, it might have helped them remember some knowledge taught. As a rule, however, scare tactics in the classroom are unadvisable! Positively enforced emotions lead to optimum performance AND good memory retention. David Morgan is Managing Director of Oxford Learning Solutions, creators of the Easyread System, which teaches struggling learners how to read. Easyread specializes in cases of dyslexia, highly visual learning styles, and auditory processing deficits. Find out more at www.easyreadsystem.com and follow the latest literacy news at www.facebook.com/easyreadsystem